Surviving the Medical Meltdown (36 page)

CASH DOCTORS RESOURCES

The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (
www.AAPSonline.org
) is a nonpartisan professional association of physicians in all types of practices and specialties across the country. It is the site for the free-market medicine doctors. They are developing a list of cash physicians in various areas of the country.

The DocCost (
www.DocCost.com
) concept was born in 2008 as a potential free-market solution to the ever-rising cost of health care in the United States. They help patients who are willing to pay cash at the time of service find doctors and other heath care providers that allow patients to compare charges.

MediBid (
www.MediBid.com
) gives health savings account and self-pay patients access to doctors who will provide them with quality medical care and upfront, cash pricing. It allows you to bid for surgical services and other procedures such as a colonoscopy with cash-only surgeons and physicians.
www.MediBid.com

SOURCES FOR MANUALS AND EQUIPMENT

Special Operations Forces Medical Handbook

The Special Operations Forces Medical Handbook
, 2001, is the first edition of a comprehensive medical reference resource designed for Special Operations Forces (SOF) medics. This “single-source” reference provides many revolutionary approaches to accessing medical information, such as a treatment
hierarchy based on available medical resources and mission circumstances commonly facing the SOF medic and victims of the medical meltdown.

Available to download at
http://www.nh-tems.com/documents/Manuals/SOF_Medical_Handbook.pdf

US Army First Aid Manual

The U.S. Army First Aid Manual
offers skills and knowledge necessary for many life-threatening situations, with an emphasis on treating oneself and aiding others. Of use to soldiers in the field, to outdoorsmen, or to anyone in a dangerous situation without a medical professional on hand. This is the official manual for treating every type of injury and affliction in the field.

Available to download at
http://1oro1.com/images/pdf%20files/FM%2021-11.pdf

Facemasks and N95 respirators are devices that may help prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria from one person to another. They are one part of an infection-control strategy that should also include frequent hand washing and social distancing.

You can find these masks online at N-95 Masks:
http://www.fullsource.com/disposable-n95-masks/kimberly-clark-62126kc2/

The Grossnan Sinus Irrigator

The Grossnan Hydro Pulse Sinus System is the first pulsating system specifically for nasal and sinus irrigation. Not just a cleanse or rinse, the pulsating action is clinically proven to make your sinus cilia – the body’s first line of defense against contagions, pollen, and foreign matter – work better. You can purchase this product on Amazon or at
www.hydromedonline.com
.

The Hydro Floss

Hydromagnetic oral irrigation treats the water magnetically, which affects the ionization process, which, in turn, reduces surface tension and inhibits the ability of the bacteria to bond and colonize and the calculus to form. You can purchase this product on Amazon or at
www.hydrofloss.com
.

SAM Splint

The SAM (Structural Aluminum Malleable) Splint is a compact, lightweight, highly versatile device designed for immobilizing bone and soft tissue injuries in emergency settings. You can purchase this product on Amazon or at
www.sammedical.com
.

Israeli Battle Bandage Dressing

The Israeli Bandage is an innovative, combat-proven first aid device for the staunching of blood flow from traumatic hemorrhage wounds in prehospital emergency situations. You can purchase this product on Amazon or at
http://www.chinookmed.com
or
http://www.israelifirstaid.com
.

Water BOB Fresh Water storage system

The waterBOB is a water containment system that holds up to 100 gallons of fresh drinking water in virtually any bathtub in the event of an emergency. You can purchase this product on Amazon or at
www.waterbob.com
.

Water Treatment Tablets

Potable Aqua iodine water disinfection tablets were developed by Harvard University in conjunction with the US Army in the 1940s, and have been used by the military for emergency drinking water disinfection for more than fifty years. You can purchase this product on Amazon or at
www.potableaqua.com
.

Radiation Dosimeter “RadSticker”

The RADStickerTM peel & stick, instant color-developing dosimeter, is always ready and with you 24/7, stuck onto the back of your driver’s license or anything you keep close, for any future radiation emergency. You can purchase this product on Amazon or at
http://disasterpreparer.com/radsticker/
.

APPENDIX B
EMERGENCY KITS AND SUPPLEMENTS

STANDARD 72-HOUR SUPPLY KIT (NONMEDICAL)

Batteries

Candles

Drinking water

Emergency radio

Emergency rations such as 2,400-calorie food bars

First aid kit (if not using a separate medical kit, see
page 247
)

Moist towelettes in resealable container or individually wrapped

Antiseptic wipes

Pocket tissue

Pocketknife

Waterproof matches

Rope

Dust masks

Duct tape

Clothespins

Flashlight

Gloves

Poncho

Survival blankets

Tube tent

Water purification tablets

Whistle

MEDICAL 72-HOUR SUPPLY KIT

ACE wrap (three 4-inch wraps)

Afrin nasal spray

Aleve or Naproxen 500 mg

Antibiotic ointment

Band-Aids

Cetirizine

Chewable vitamin C (500 mg)

Chlotrimazole 1% antifungal cream

Cipro 500 or 750 mg tabs

Clindamycin 300 mg tabs

Gauze bandages (1 dozen, 4 x 4 inches)

Hydrocortisone Cream

Iodine supplement 12.5 mg

Melatonin 3 mg sublingual

N-95 masks

Prescription medicines (in daily-dose zip lock snack bags – enough for at least two to three weeks)

Q-tips

SAM Splint (4 x 36 inches)

Sling

Special Operations Forces Medical Handbook
(see
page 241
) or
US Army First Aid

Manual
(see
page 242
)

Vitamin D
₃
(5,000 IU for children and 10,000 IU for adults)

Water purification tablets

AUTHORIZED MEDICAL ALLOWANCE LISTS (AMALS)

Prescription Drugs

If you take a lot of prescription drugs or hormones, make an AMAL just for daily drugs, and put all the rest in another AMAL for drugs used only in unusual situations. That way you can rotate easily old drugs for new. Put EpiPens on top and rotate by expiration date.

PERSONAL

Personal hormones

Personal prescriptions: (for example, thyroid, blood pressure, and/or glaucoma medication, anticoagulants, eye drops)

ANTIBIOTICS

Amoxicillin 500 mg tablet

Cipro 500 or 750 mg tablets

Clindamycin 300 mg tablets

Doxycycline 100 mg tablets

PAIN AND SWELLING

Codeine (save extras from procedures and keep in secure place)

Ibuprofen 400 mg or Naproxen 500 mg (which is better for anti-inflammatory and swelling but not as immediate relief of pain.)

Migraine medications

SEVERE RESPIRATORY ALLERGIES

EpiPen

OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) DRUGS

Cough and cold

Afrin nasal spray

Children’s nasal spray

Liquid cough and cold medicine that does not contain Tylenol

Throat lozenges

GASTROINTESTINAL

Mylanta (immediate-relief antacid)

Omeprazole (stomach acid)

Senekot-S (for constipation)

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Baby aspirin 81 mg

Naproxen or Aleve 220 mg

ALLERGY

Benadryl 25 mg tablets (drowsy)

Cetirizine (nondrowsy)

SLEEP/STRESS

Melatonin 3 mg sublingual tablets (to get to sleep)

5-HTP, 50 to 100 mg (to stay asleep, and for stress; can be taken in the day)

L-theonine (for brain calming and sleep, see LEF.org)

OINTMENTS, SKIN PRODUCTS, AND WOUND CARE

Pharmacy items

ACE wrap (3-inch and 4-inch)

Adhesive strips (like Steri-Strips, 1/2-inch and 1/4-inch for closing wounds)

Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin, bacitracin, polymixin, or polysporin)

Antifungal (miconazole nitrate 2%)

Band-Aids

Calamine lotion (for bug bites and poison ivy)

Chlorhexidine 0.12% oral rinse (can be purchased OTC for pets)

Clean cloths

Cling gauze

Ear bulb syringe

Gauze sponges (2-inch square and 4-inch square)

Gauze sponges with petroleum to prevent sticking (1 x 8-inch Xeroform gauze)

Hydrocortisone cream 1%

Hydrogen peroxide

Isopropyl alcohol

Israeli Battle Bandage Dressing (optional for major wounds)

Micropore tape (1-inch wide, used for bandages)

Q-tips

Skin cream or lotion (unscented)

Scissors

Silver Solution kit, optional (see
appendix C
)

Syringes (half-dozen 10 ml with 18-gauge needles)

Metal sterilizable basin or small metal bowl

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Aloe vera plant (for superficial burns)

Baking soda

Honey (to be used as an antibiotic for infected wounds)

Mustard (for burns)

Salt

Xylitol crystals (at least 1 pound)

Vaseline

SPLINTS

Aircast ankle brace

Arm sling

ACE wraps (4-inch)

CAM Boot

SAM Splint (4 x 36 inches)

DISINFECTANTS AND WATER PURIFICATION

Bleach (for disinfecting surfaces, containers, or drinking water, see sidebar)

White vinegar (for disinfecting use a 1:8 ratio or 2 cups per gallon of water)

WaterBOB fresh water storage system (see
page 243
)

Water treatment tablets (iodine tablets to treat water)

CLOROX SOLUTION

For disinfecting doorknobs, toys, countertops etc.: Add 1/2 cup of bleach per gallon of water or 1½ teaspoons per cup of water.

For drinking water: After letting the water settle so there is no particulate matter floating, add 2 drops bleach per quart (4 cups) or water or 8 drops bleach per gallon of water.

INFORMATION AND TESTING EQUIPMENT

The American Medical Association Handbook of First Aid and Emergency Care

American College of Physicians Complete Home Medical Guide

Special Operations Forces Medical Handbook

US Army First Aid Manual

Nonbattery thermometers

Radiation dosimeter cards

Measuring tape

Stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, depending on level of expertise

REPIRATORY CARE

Inhalers (prescription)

Nebulizer with Albuterol (or other prescribed bronchodilator)

Oxygen generator (if dependent on an oxygen tank)

PET CARE (OPTIONAL)

Pet prescription medicines

Ear mite solution

Worming medication

SUPPLEMENTS EVERYONE SHOULD TAKE

These recommendations are intended for healthy people over age five. I don’t usually recommend multivitamins, but prefer specific supplements. However, if food is scarce and you are eating a survival-type diet, it would be good to take a good multivitamin daily to supplement trace elements. I don’t recommend giving supplements to children under the age of three. For children over three years of age, a children’s multivitamin without iron is a good idea especially if there is a less-than-optimal diet. Also there is lots of evidence to recommend fish oil for children. I like Nortdic Natural’s supplement that includes fish oil (EPA, DHA, GLA) as well as vitamin D
₃
1,000 IU. You can buy this in health food stores or order online at omega-direct.net/prod_completed3jr.html. If you have a significant chronic disease or renal failure, or for children under the age of three, consult your physician.

OPTIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

I take more than the above supplements because I choose to spend my disposable income on my health and longevity. The above short list I would pay for no matter what. But these are optional unless you have been diagnosed with specific deficiencies.